FIERY Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. John Konyeke and his assistants, Rev. Fr. Jude Iwediunor and Rev. Fr. Fredrick Chukwuemeke have been transfered from St. Johnbosco Catholic Church, Asaba.
Newsden reliably gathered that the Catholic Bishop of Issele-Uku Diocese, Most Revd. Michael Elue gave his nod for Fr. Konyeke to proceed for further studies at Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while Fr. Iwedinunor and Fr. Chukwuemeke were sent to St. Joseph’s, Akumazi, Ika North-East Local Government Area and St. Brigid’s, Asaba, all in Delta State.
Arafiena
It would be recalled that Rev. Fr. Konyeke started his life as a Priest at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church, Agbor as an Assistant Parish Priest and cut his teeth as a Priest in charge of a Parish at the Catholic Church of the Ascension, Asaba.
He broke the records of being the first full-fledged Parish Priest at a young church, as Ascension was less than five months old with a make-shift church building and without a residence for a Priest.
Anazia and friend
Konyeke spent six years at the Catholic Church of the Ascension and within that period, the Church did not only grow in population, “a befitting place of worship” was built for the Lord, the land was expanded and a Parish House was built.
He was transfered from Catholic Church of the Ascension to St. Johnbosco Catholic Church, also in Asaba and within his few years at St. Johnbosco, to the glory of God, he has also built a more accommodating Church, described as the Church with the tallest building in Delta State.
Sir and Lady Ogabu
The super-imposing Church building is strategically located at the heart of Asaba and he also ensured that the land which extended to the bank of the famous River Niger was utilised.
Also Rev. Fr. Jude Iwedinuor started his life as a Priest at St. Johnbosco Catholic Church where he was assigned as Assistant to Fr. Konyeke.
Rev. Fr. Konyeke and Fr. Iwediunor
At a thanksgiving Mass to celebrate the 5th Priestly Ordination of Rev. Iwediunor at St. Johnbosco Catholic Church, Asaba on Sunday, Rev. Fr. (Barr. Dr.) Anthony Azuwike, in his homily, stated that Priests of God are exalted above eartly things by God.
“The Priest is inferior to God, but superior to man, every High Priest is chosen from among men and are called as Priests to sympathise with the ignorant, so, the Priest is always patient.
Abolo
“What we have is a divine vocation, a divine call to make sinners to be children of God.
“The Priestly dignity is the most important dignity on earth; Priests are called Vicars of Christ, because they hold His place on earth; the Priesthood is only by grace and privilege, because no one is worthy, we are what we are because of grace.
“Fr. Jude represents hope; today, hope is a scarce commodity, often in the circular world; Fr. Jude’s unassuming nature and humility can only come from a strong family background; he is a dedicated Priest and multi-talented man; he is dedicated to duty; he is a man you can count on for any kind of pastoral service any time, any day and has the rare privilege of spending his first five years in the Priesthood in this parish, St. Johnbosco.
“He went about his duty, loving the people as God directs; parishioners of St. Johnbosco will always remember you in their prayers and thank you Fr. Jude for being a great associate and partner in progress,” Rev. Fr. Anthony said.
The Holy Mass also featured renewal of religious vows by Sisters of Missionaries of Our Lady of Our Perpetual Help and special thanksgiving by Rev. Fr. Iwediunor and parishioners of the church.
Fr. Iwediunor, thanked God for using Fr. Konyeke to build a place of worship for Him, asserting, “as an individual, I see Fr. John as a mentor, he is a motivator, and a teacher.”
Rev. Fr. Konyeke in a brief speech, thanked the 
parishioners for their support, noting that their transfer from the parish by Bishop Elue was customary, stating, in the church, “obedience pays.
“Our Bishop has a broader knowledge as the shepherd of the Diocese; obedience pays, loyalty is not cowardice; whenever the Bishop posts anybody, all that you have to do is to obey.”
He solicited for the prayers of the parishioners to enable them succeed in their new assignments, assuring that they will always remember the parishioners too in their prayers.
